What are swimmer puppies?

Question

What exactly are swimmer puppies? Can the whole litter be swimmers? What are some ways to treat them? Yes, I'm aware about taking them to vet, but it will be hours before that will be possible and I'm kinda going crazy now...so if you could give me a few answers and little piece of mind tonight I'll really, really, REALLY appreciate it.

Answer 1

Swimmer puppies are puppies that are "flat" on the chest due to slippery footing. It can be corrected, but is not an emergency. See the vet and make sure!!
http://www.swimmerpuppy.com/

http://www.doggy411.com/show_article.do?id=107

They are not the same as "water" puppies.

Answer 2

I got this off a website...

"The term 'swimmer' is used to describe a puppy that paddles his legs much like a turtle, but is unable to stand. A puppy should be standing and walking by three weeks of age. As a result of weak muscles in the rear limbs, swimmers are generally unable to stand at the normal age."

It's kind of sad, really. And from what I've read, it can happen to any breed of dog. There are different factors that can cause this as well. It seems as though it can be hereditary or not, and that a mother can have a swimmer in every litter, possibly.

I've listed two websites I went to as my sources. You can check those out for more information.

Answer 3

swimmer puppies (pectus excavatum). This is a condition of 'so called' flat chested puppies. They usually die anywhere from two days to four weeks of age. More often, sooner than later. swimmer puppies (pectus excavatum). This is a condition of 'so called' flat chested puppies. They usually die anywhere from two days to four weeks of age. More often, sooner than later. Suggestions for cures were anything from:

1. There's nothing you can do about it

2. Changing their feed

3. Spaying the mother

4. Putting them on soft bedding

5. Taping the feet together;

The cure for this must be taken as soon as possible and is really quite simple. Check all the pups right after birth and every hour or so for the next couple of days. If you notice a pup that is always on its belly or beginning to show signs of a flat chest, what you do is lay mom down and put this pup on a good nipple, full of milk, that is next to the floor of the nest box.
It probably won't stay on the nipple at first in anything but an upright position. After it's on, hanging on for dear life, take the pup and turn it on its side, holding its entire body and head down. At first is will resist but be firm, make it lie on its side until it is full, making sure it stays on its side. If the pup lets loose of the nipple anytime during this process, start over. Do this several times a day until the pup returns to normal and lays on its side, when that happens you have just cured swimmer puppy syndrome.
With this course of action you should have 100% success but remember YOU have to be very observant and very consistent. P.S. The best way to learn about raising puppies is to raise puppies and don't give up because you have some bad experiences that no one can help you with. Pick everyone's brain and read everything you can find and reserve your judgment. Be observant and eventually you will be able to overcome nearly every problem that comes up. This is our observation of Lhasa Apso and American Cocker Spaniels only. There may be other causes of what appears to be the same syndrome in other breeds? GOOD LUCK

Answer 4

Swimmer puppy's develop in the first week and are normally caused by over attentive mothers. You should always pay attention to the possibility of the puppy's being over fed which in turn inhibits natural movement causing the chest to flatten.
The solution is to reduce some of the weight of the puppy's and put a flooring in the whelping box that helps the puppy's get traction. This is a problem that shouldn't be allowed to slide because it will lead to permanent disabilities.

Answer 5

ive never heard of "swimmer puppies" but i ve heard of "water puppies" a water puppy is a puppy that is born with fluid in their bodies including their air passage way! this not good for a puppy to have and they will have to be put down before they pass on their own! u wouldnt want to wait to put them down! i have yet to hear of a whole litter being born this way yet anythings possible! but i would deff try to get them to the vet as soon as possible! :) any more questions u can contact me at [e-mail]! good luck!

Answer 6

puppies that swim what else would they be dumb@ss

Answer 7

never heard of em'